Spied: 2010 Astra

[skylark68]

I've seen one Astra on the road so far. The Saturn dealer near my home has a grassy backlot with weeds growing up around the Astra stock. It's unfortunate because if it were advertised a little more, it would appeal to potential VW Golf and Mazda 3 buyers. My wife has a 3S hatchback and it's a wonderful, sporty-utilitarian vehicle. If the Astra had been available back in '04 we probably would have gone that way. The Ion was pretty bad though and lacked the hatchback utility we enjoy.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by windvale

I know I'm a moron, but remind me...why is GM developing both a new Astra and the Cruze ?

Because when GM doesn't know what to do....they default to building trucks and multiple half assed entries into the compact and midsize segments. If GM built one really good class leading compact and sold it in Europe and the US they could pool their resources instead of doing the Cruz and Astra...

But that would make too much sense.

[prototype66]

I believe the Cruze will be class leading when it arrives.
I also think the emphesis on quality has been stressed on all up coming new product across the GM line.
But thanks for your vote of confidence anyway friend.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by GMusa

I thought i was the only one who that they needed a sedan!! I couldnt agree more... they need to bring the sedan over here instead of the 5-door hatch!

I think they need all three or five if you count the convertible and wagon. The hatch market is tiny in NA, but vocal.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by The Law

Saturn is Gm's Opel euro brand why should they have a sedan when most Europeans prefer hatches?

And how many of them are living in North America? For saturn to sell euro hatches, they have to sell enough other cars to GM to justify the rent and utility bills.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Because when GM doesn't know what to do....they default to building trucks and multiple half assed entries into the compact and midsize segments. If GM built one really good class leading compact and sold it in Europe and the US they could pool their resources instead of doing the Cruz and Astra...

But that would make too much sense.

Europeans won't accept a chevy and Americans won't accept a opel/saturn as much as a Chevy. Still, I would have the teams work very closely to make easier to adapt the Cobalt to a Astra sedan and the Astra to a cruze hatch.

[Chaz_23]

That pic makes the car look like a step back from the current sexy design. The interior is better though.

[prototype66]

I almost have to agree with you Chaz, I think the current one is sweet!

[packardlust]

Originally Posted by kenman923

I imagine we won't see this in the U.S. until 2012.

I bet you will see this in the US about the same time as Europe. The current version is made in Europe, so when the change occurs in Europe, it will occur in the US, unless they decide to move production to NA, and stop importing the car before NA production gets going. But that scenario seems far fetched, to say the least. Even if GM moved production to the NA, it would seem likely that would still import the car till the NA production was up and running.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by spidge

Can't disagree about the secure cargo area. My own parents are averse to hatchbacks for this very reason. I suppose Europe doesn't have the same problem with car theft and burglary to the extent that North America has. But at the subcompact size, I wouldn't say sedans are more attractive than hatchbacks in general. Some, like the Nissan Versa, look like the third box was added as an afterthought.

Unless you can't fold your seats or they're somehow locked, you can get to the cargo area as easily in a sedan as you could in a hatchback - the only added step is folding the seats in question, breaking the rear window is replaced by braking the rear-passenger (either side) window.

As for soundproofing, I have yet to hear the difference between hatch and sedan, and my ears aren't worn-out all that much (I mean come on, I'm 19).

And finally concerning attractiveness, well, that's subjective, very subjective. I have yet to find an economy car that looks as sexy from the rear as the Astra 3-door in North America, but that's just me (close is the Mazda 3 sedan, which I prefer to the hatch styling-wise, but not functionality-wise).

[The Law]

Originally Posted by benroethig

And how many of them are living in North America? For saturn to sell euro hatches, they have to sell enough other cars to GM to justify the rent and utility bills.

Canadian's love hatches and U'd be surprised how many live or coming over for vacation.Saturn = Opel so therefore anything opel gets so does saturn in theory.I have 2 hatchbacks: Saab 900,Vw Golf.Saab doesn't have a hatch,Saturn just got the Astra.Without the Astra GM doesn't have a hatch to offer.With people down sizing Hatches and wagons will increase, but of course Gm shouldn't put all eggs in one basket or 1 brand.for years the euro brands got no love by GM killing most of the fan and consumer base.Having Opel right below Saab gives a chance to bring younger people in just like Buick needs to do by going Asian styled.

[Design89]

Just bought an ASTRA XR,over a month ago and just love it! Just came back from a round trip of 3600 km now have 6k on the odo and yes it would be nice to have a 6th gear but this engine just likes too rev and best of all it sounds great at 120km/h reeving 3500.We were 3 in the car and loaded with beach gear,luggage and averaged 30mpg.
It" a great time to get one!

[Uligar]

Saturn is Gm's Opel euro brand why should they have a sedan when most Europeans prefer hatches?

In Western Europe people prefer the hatches ,but in Easter Europe they more like Sedans.
For Example: U can't buy a Astra Sedan in Germany, its only for Eastern market.

That pic makes the car look like a step back from the current sexy design. The interior is better though.

I saw some new Astras driving around my hometown. Believe me, they look better than the actual one.



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